Money Assistance Arizona – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
Ranking among the states with the highest poverty level, at 18.6 percent, Arizona also has an unemployment rate of 6 percent. Only 8 states score the same or worse than Arizona in regards to poverty levels. With hard times touching many people, you may be in need of financial assistance to help you cover some of your monthly expenses. If you are having a difficult time getting your paychecks to stretch, you may qualify for some help.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Arizona. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Phoenix and all of Arizona.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Arizona collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.
Assistance with utilities: Residents of Arizona may qualify for assistance through the LIHEAP program if they meet the annual income levels set up by the program. A family of four must make less than $47,500 per year. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Utility Repair, Replacement and Deposit Program (URRD) help low income families cover utility expenses including water, electricity and gas. Additionally, the local telephone company (Qwest) provides discounted phone services to qualifying families.
Food Assistance: Residents of Arizona may qualify for food assistance through the Department of Economic Security. The state provides help with food costs via Nutrition Assistance, Coordinated Hunger Relief and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Nutrition Assistance is the equivalent of the food stamps program in other states. The Coordinated Hunger Relief Program works with different agencies and organizations (including Food Banks and SNAP) to organize help for eligible families. The EFAP program provides food to the elderly and low income families at no cost via commodity foods.
Rent and Mortgage: If you are facing eviction, you can receive help through the Arizona Department of Housing. Additionally low income families may qualify for subsidized housing through Section 8 housing, also provided by the Arizona Department of Housing. There are several homeless shelters and emergency shelters throughout the state available for families who are facing an immediate need. Several communities, like Glendale, also offer community development block grants and emergency shelter grants for qualifying families. To qualify for either program your income should be at or below 50 percent of the state median income. Additionally, you’ll need to provide proof of financial need and not have received help with rent or mortgage in the last year.
Medical Assistance: The state offers several programs that help low-income or struggling families to be able to afford medical expenses. Individuals may qualify for reduced or free medical coverage through Medicaid or Medicare. Additionally, children may qualify for reduced insurance through the CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Families that don’t qualify for the state programs can receive health care at a scaled cost through several free clinics.
Educational Assistance: There are several options for students who need assistance to pay for higher education. In addition to the Federal Pell Grant program, Arizona students may qualify for A LEAP grant which provides tuition assistance to Arizona residents who attend qualifying schools. The grants range between $1,000 and $2,500 per academic year. Other options include loan- forgiveness programs for students who major in math, science and special education. Parents with students attending private school can receive help with tuition through the Arizona Tuition Organization.
Community Action Centers: The community action centers in Arizona help qualifying families get help with monthly expenses including rent, utilities, food and medical expenses. Additionally, educational and employment resources are provided to help promote self-reliance. These centers are organized through the Arizona Community Action Association (AZCAA).
Charities: According to CNN, Arizona ranks as the 18th most giving state in the country, with nearly 5 percent of its residents giving to charity. Arizona residents can take advantage of some of the charity organizations including St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Food for the Hungry, FH Association, United Food Bank and Childhelp Inc.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Arizona, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in Arizona. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.
Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout Arizona. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.
Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in Arizona, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.
How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including Arizona. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.
Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in Arizona there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.
How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in Arizona like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strain on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.
